Chapter 23
NIGHT FELL AS JIANG SUIZHOU made his way to Xu Du’s courtyard.
The Ministry of Rites had been so swamped with work that he wasn’t able to return to the residence until after it was completely dark. However, he hadn’t forgotten about Xu Du.
Gu Changyun wasn’t there; Jiang Suizhou hadn’t informed either of them in advance precisely for this reason. There were certain matters that he had to discuss with Xu Du in private.
Jiang Suizhou arrived just as Xu Du was sitting down for dinner. Xu Du maintained his composure and simply had his maids bring another bowl and set of chopsticks, then dismissed them.
They were alone now, and Jiang Suizhou noted how serene and tranquil Xu Du’s residence felt. The room smelled faintly of ink, and just outside the window, he could see the shadows of bamboo swaying gently in the breeze. On the table beneath it sat a weiqi board, its pieces arranged in an unfinished game.
Jiang Suizhou sat down at the table and looked at Xu Du, who smiled politely back at him.
“To think His Highness knew that there are matters to discuss on the fifteenth of every month,” he said. “This subordinate of yours is not as clever as Changyun. I was pondering how I was supposed to meet His Highness, if you were unaware.”
Xu Du spoke frankly, immediately tossing aside all pretense. They both knew Jiang Suizhou wasn’t the original Prince of Jing, so what was the point in putting on an act?
And so, Jiang Suizhou didn’t beat around the bush either. After all, they were completely alone in the room, and there were no recording devices in ancient times.
“The study holds many books. In my research, I found some clues which led me to suspect I had business to discuss with you today.”
Xu Du was stunned. It seemed he hadn’t expected him to be so straightforward.
“Since childhood, your subordinate has only encountered tales of possession in storybooks. I never imagined that one day I would see such speculation prove to be true,” he said slowly.
“I didn’t want to do it either,” Jiang Suizhou said, smiling a bit grimly. “It was a coincidence, and I assure you, I had no choice in the matter.”
Xu Du laughed.
“How fascinating. Witnessing such an extraordinary phenomenon makes my time in this world worthwhile,” he said.
Jiang Suizhou paused to observe him for a moment. He seemed remarkably composed and at ease.
“So, I must admit,” Jiang Suizhou continued, “even now, I still have no idea what you’re after.”
“His Highness says I’m after something? In what sense?”
“You know that I’m not the Prince of Jing, but someone else who became him,” Jiang Suizhou began. “And now I know that the original prince has been holding Gu Changyun’s family hostage to coerce him into service. But what about you? You must have your own reasons for being here.”
Slight surprise tinged Xu Du’s placid expression.
“You discovered even this, Your Highness?” he asked.
Jiang Suizhou looked at him quietly.
After a moment, Xu Du smiled and nodded.
“Those are indeed Changyun’s circumstances,” he confirmed. “His parents passed away when he was young, leaving him, his grandmother, and his younger sister to rely on each other for survival. His Highness eventually took an interest in him, but he was unwilling to involve himself in court disputes, so you resorted to certain means. I must admit, I never expected His Highness to be sharp enough to uncover this.”
“What about you?” Jiang Suizhou asked.
Xu Du paused and looked up at him, his eyes clear.
“Your subordinate comes from a merchant family, with no way to enter officialdom,” he said. “But I am determined to serve the state. My life’s ambition is simply to achieve fame and fortune.”
Jiang Suizhou was aware that the imperial examination system in the Jing dynasty was still relatively new, and the criteria for candidates’ family backgrounds were exceedingly stringent. If anyone within the past five generations had been a merchant, actor, or prostitute, the candidate was barred from taking the exam.
“So, you joined the Prince of Jing’s faction?” he asked.
Xu Du laughed.
“I’m a nobody. This was the only path I could find for myself, walking alongside the struggling Prince of Jing,” he said. “Moreover, although I seek fame and fortune, I’m not unscrupulous. Joining Pang Shao’s faction would require me to commit actions that would be condemned for generations to come.”
Seeing his honest demeanor and hearing his insightful words, Jiang Suizhou found himself about 80 percent convinced of Xu Du’s trustworthiness.
He pondered for a moment.
“The money you receive on the fifteenth of every month,” he said. “What is that used for?”
Ultimately, the most important indicator of a person’s character was found in how well their actions backed up their words.
By assessing his handling of these critical matters, he could more easily judge whether Xu Du was truly being honest with him.
He watched Xu Du as he turned around to retrieve an account book from a concealed compartment in the bookshelf, then returned to the table and handed it to Jiang Suizhou.
“Your Highness has been saving money over the years to cultivate a group of elite guards,” he said. “Not too many; just around ten in total. Such guards are loyal to their death and require years of personal training to ensure their reliability. Therefore, His Highness sought me out and entrusted me with the task of training them.”
Jiang Suizhou was somewhat surprised, but he didn’t show it on his face. He took the account book and examined it carefully.
The identification number and expenses for each elite guard had been meticulously recorded, along with corresponding dates. A month’s worth of transactions were enough to fill a detailed and weighty volume.
“So… Basically, every month you head out for leisure and purchase some stationery, but I never ask you to report it?”
Xu Du smiled and nodded.
“His Highness is indeed wise.”
Jiang Suizhou quietly read through the account book, while Xu Du waited patiently at his side. After a long time, Jiang Suizhou put down the records, took out the money he had prepared earlier, and held it out to Xu Du according to the sums delineated in the book.
This was a way of showing, through his actions, that he trusted him.
Xu Du reached out to take the banknotes.
“You’ve done excellently,” Jiang Suizhou said. “I’m sure I’ll need to rely on you again in the future.”
“His Highness only needs to give the order,” Xu Du said, smiling faintly.
Jiang Suizhou paused.
“But speaking of which,” he said, watching him carefully, “have you thought about the future at all?”
Xu Du didn’t answer. He just tilted his head to indicate that Jiang Suizhou should continue.
“Dynasties rise and fall, you know. They have lifespans just like individual people,” he remarked, choosing his words slowly and carefully. “Should you find yourself looking up at the dawn of a new regime from the rubble of the old one, what will you do? How will you pursue the fame and fortune you seek?”
Xu Du was silent for a long time after hearing this. Then suddenly, he laughed. The sound was clear and pure.
“Everyone believes that the division of the north and south is an immutable reality, destined to last for centuries. Even if Northern Liang still had Huo Wujiu, this would not change. What makes His Highness believe that Southern Jing has reached the end of its lifespan?”
“Why was Huo Wujiu captured?” Jiang Suizhou countered.
“He led his troops deep into enemy territory, cutting himself off from any reinforcements.”
“And what are your thoughts about the current court of Southern Jing?”
Xu Du paused.
“His Highness is saying that General Huo’s defeat was but a misstep,” he said with a small smile, “and in the end, Jing’s downfall stems from its rotten foundations?”
Jiang Suizhou didn’t speak. This was a tacit agreement.
They stared at each other in silence for a long moment, then Xu Du stood up and bowed deeply to Jiang Suizhou.
“I never had any hope for that kind of predicament,” he said. “I sought to take things one step at a time, only making my moves when my hand was forced. But now, it seems I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a wise master. I believe that His Highness already has plans for the future, so I intend to follow your orders faithfully and serve as your right hand.”
Jiang Suizhou was honestly speechless.
On the one hand, he was glad that Xu Du had opened up and was willing to trust him. But on the other, Jiang Suizhou felt uneasy receiving such high praise.
What plans did Xu Du think he had for the future?
He had no plans. All he had was the knowledge that in the near future, Huo Wujiu would wipe them all out.